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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • CSO petitions Human Rights Commission over EFCC’s continued detention Babagana Dalori

     

    A Civil Society Organization, Centre for Public Accountability (CPA), has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)  over the continued detention of Engr Babagana Abba Dalori the Managing Director of Galaxy Transportation and construction Services, who has been illegally detained by the EFCC, since March 2019.

     

     

    The group led by its Executive Director, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, in a petition submitted on Thursday asked the NHRC to in the interest of rule of law and compliance with human rights obligations, call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to order an immediate release of Babagana Dalori.

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    A copy of the petition, which was sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, and the Media, said

    Engineer Dalori  has been held incommunicado in dehumanising conditions since March 2019 by the EFCC, where it has over the period, subjected  him,  to mental, psychological and physical harassment in manners that violates his human rights.

     

    “Furthermore, in utter contempt of court the EFCC have defied valid and subsisting orders of the Federal High  Court ordering the immediate release of some of the detainee. Apart from the contemptuous conduct of the EFCC, it has also illegally impounded some properties belonging to the detainee, without any valid order of the court.” the group said.

     

    “For the purpose of clarity, the basis for the travail of Engr Babagana Abba Dalori, emanated from a business dealing, involving his company and some investors, who lost part of their financial investment after a flooding incident sometimes in the year 2018. The company lost sand and equipment to flooding in 2018, and attached to this letter, are copies of sympathy letters from Emirates in areas of operation to the company.

     

    The unfortunate incident which affected many of the dredging equipments of the company was brought to the notice of investors, thereby leading to some of them demanding refund of their investment, thereby necessitating their involvement of the EFCC.” the petition read.

     

    The group further said the EFCC should be reminded, that all Nigerians are entitled to their fundamental rights to dignity and liberty guaranteed by sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as it urge the Human Rights Commission, to impress it upon the EFCC to immediately release Engr  Dalori from unlawful custody or arraign them in court without any further delay.

     

    “The illegal detention of citizens without trial and against the directive of competent clearly violates human rights, and constitutes a threat to our hard earned democracy.” it concluded.

  • Kogi APC primary: Our delegates are being intimidated, says Audu

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Prince Mustapha Mona Audu, has alleged intimidation of delegates that will select the party’s candidate on August 29 in Lokoja.

    But, the party chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, denied knowledge of any intimidation, saying no delegate to the primary has reported to him about any harassment.

    Mustapha, who is son of the former Governor Abubakar Audu, said the delegates were being intimidated and compelled to vote for a certain aspirant.

    He said that he has written to the President, other leaders of the party and security agents.

    Read Also: Kogi APC primary: How far can Irukera go?

    Audu said: “What we are seeing is unbelievable, especially the level of poverty, suffering and the insecurity of delegates right now. Our delegates are in trouble. One delegates from the west had his wife kidnapped. When his wife was returned, they then kidnapped his second son, all in a bid to get them to vote a certain way.

    “We believe we need to bring this to attention of the public that they are disturbing our delegates and a lot of them have been told not to interact at all with aspirants. This is not the APC we built, this is not the tenets of democracy that we expect. But still, in the face of all these challenges they are still defiling the odds and we are interacting.”

  • #RevolutionNow: ‘Our mission was achieved’

    One of the organisers of the RevolutionNow protest Seeni Ajayi has said the coalition was happy it achieved its purpose of kick-starting a revolution in the country.

    Ajayi said Monday’s protest was a success because Nigerians have begun to discuss issues that arose from it and more people were joining the movement.

    He said this during a phone interview while responding to claims that the protest was called off by the organisers.

    According to Ajayi, they only planned a day protest to kick-start the movement, adding that the rest of the work was ongoing backstage.

    He said the organisers have also been busy securing the release on bail of over 65 persons arrested by the police and other state actors across the country, adding that they were also planning for any eventuality.

    He said: “It is not correct to say the protest was suspended since we only budgeted for one day protest to start the revolution. We are actually doing other things.

    “We actually have to ascertain the casualties of the Nigerian State on Monday. It will be callous on our part not to address the casualties and it was quite huge.

    “Over 65 persons were arrested across the country. There was one gunshot wound in Lagos and in Ogun State, we are still looking at two or three. 40 persons were picked up both by the police and state sponsored thugs.

    “The government committed a lot of crimes on that day and we are just getting many people out on bail and we are actually preparing for what will happen tomorrow.

    Read Also: Police arraign four over #RevolutionNow protest in Ogun

    “But what all this has done is that the revolution has begun. People are discussing the issue of change, people are also organising and joining us. That is what is victory to us.”

    Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command said four persons it arrested during the protest have been charged before an Abeokuta Magistrates Court.

    According to spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Daniel Abraham, 29, Afofun Festus, 18, Kolawole Seun, 25, and Okoro Romeo, 38, were arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

    He said the alleged offences were punishable under sections 516, 70 and 249 (D) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State .

    “The four suspects pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail while the case was adjourned to August 15,” he said.

     

  • Flood keep Makurdi residents indoors

    An heavy downpour on Wednesday night has led to massive flooding of houses and shops in Makurdi, Benue state capital on Thursday.

    The rain, which started at about 11 pm lasted till 9:30 am on Thursday.

    Most streets in Makurdi were over taken by flood,keeping residents indoors.

    The popular Wurukum market located on Makurdi – Gboko was totally submerged as traders counted their losses.

    Goods were seen floating on water as all shops submerged.

    At AIG zone 4 Police headquarters in Makurdi, flooded water took over the major road that connect high level with Radio Benue station .

    Read Also: Ortom seeks unity among Benue indigenes in U.S.

    Flooding in Makurdi has become a yearly occurrence, especially during raining season .

    Those who spoke to The Nation said they were fast asleep when they discovered water in their rooms .

    A residents of Idye village in Makurdi, Paul Awe said at about 3 am while sleeping his bed and mattresses became soak with water from the heavy rain.

    A house wife Mrs .Dooyum Ako told The Nation that her three- bedroom apartment was submerged and she had to take her three children to another location for safety .

    Those affected appealed to the state government to open up channels in the state capital to allow access to free passage of water .

  • ‘Youth unemployment undermines Africa’s growth potential’

    A labour expert, Ms Cynthia SamuelOlonjuwon, has said Africa’s large population should be a demographic dividend, if properly harnessed. According to her, underemployment, unemployment, informality and working poverty have remained persistent challenges on the continent.

    Ms. Samuel Olonjuwon, who is an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa, said a staggering 95 per cent of young African workers were engaged in informal employment coupled with other challenges, while around 38 per cent others were  working poor.

    Read Also: ‘Youth unemployment a time bomb’

    Speaking at a workshop in Abuja, Olonjuwon said while the region continues to witness frequent situations of disaster, conflict or fragility, the youths are the most vulnerable, noting that from 2000 to 2014, employment grew at an average annual rate of only 1.8 per cent. She said while the labour force grew at an annual rate of three per cent, almost twice as fast and if the trend continues, Africa will have an additional 100 million unemployed youth by 2030.

    To her, Africa must observe that  the youth crisis in Africa is an employment crisis that affects the whole economy and community and not just the youth.

  • Taraba: Police fault Army’s claim

    The Nigeria Police Force has faulted claims by the Nigerian Army over the death of three policemen and one civilian in Taraba state.

    The policemen from Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force were said to be on investigation to Ibi in Taraba state when they came under attack by the soldier.

    The operatives were in Taraba to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu, who was indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the state.

    The Army, in reaction to the statement said the soldiers mistook the policemen for kidnappers.

    In reaction to the claim by the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police on Thursday in statement by the Force Spokesman, DCP Frank Mba demanded the whereabouts of the kidnap suspect that was freed by the Army.

    The Force also said it is insensitive, disrespectful and unpatriotic for the Army to continue to describe Policemen on lawful national assignment as ‘suspected kidnappers”.

    The Police in a statement titled; “Setting the record straight – where is the “rescued” notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume? Pointed out some of the loopholes in the statement issued by the Army.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to the Press Release by the Nigerian Army dated 07 August, 2019, seeking to justify the unprovoked and unwarranted murder of three Police officers and one Civilian, and serious injury to other operatives, who were on legitimate criminal investigation activities to Taraba State, to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the State.

    “In the best tradition of Esprit de Corps, Inter-Agency Harmony and National Interest, the Nigeria Police Force would naturally have kept quiet, but it has become imperative to set the record straight by addressing the obvious distortion of facts inherent in the Press Release by the Nigerian Army.

    “The most important question arising from the Nigerian Army Press Release is: Where is Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume? Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is a millionaire kidnapper arrested by the Police but paradoxically treated as a ‘‘kidnap victim’’ by the Soldiers and subsequently ‘rescued’ by them. Where is he? Where is the rescued kidnapper?

    “Secondly, the Press Release was silent on the source of the alleged distress report or identity of the complainant, on the strength of whose report, the Army claimed had informed their decision to engage in the purported chase and rescue operation.

    “Needless to state that in the true spirit of transparency and accountability, the Nigerian Army ought to have arrested the purported distress caller – if any – for obviously and deliberately furnishing them with false and misleading information. Besides, such arrest should in fact be made public!

    It continues: “Thirdly, it is not true that the Policemen failed to identify themselves as alleged in the Press Release. The video on the incident, now viral, wherein the voice of one of the soldiers was heard loudly proclaiming that the Policemen were from the Force Headquarters, Abuja speaks volume.

    Read Also: Soldiers ‘kill’ three policemen, one civilian in Taraba

    “Besides, the presence of the IRT personnel was well known to the Taraba Police Command as the Operatives officially and properly documented not only at the State Command Headquarters but also at the Wukari Area Command and the Ibi Divisional Headquarters. As a matter of fact, some of the Detectives from the Taraba State Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were part of the operation.

    “The Force also considers it insensitive, disrespectful and unpatriotic for the Press Release by the Army to continue to describe Policemen on lawful National Assignment as ‘suspected kidnappers’ long after it had become crystal clear to the Army that these are Law Enforcement Officers who unfortunately were gruesomely murdered in the line of duty by Nigerian soldiers attached to 93 Battalion, Takum.”

    According to Mba, some of the questions begging for answers are; “In the final analysis, we leave the Nigerian Army authorities to provide Nigerians with answers on the following questions emanating from their Press Release; Where is the notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume ‘rescued’ by the soldiers, how and why was Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume released by the soldiers and how could a kidnap suspect properly restrained with handcuffs by the Police escape from the hands of his military rescuers?.

    Other questions are: “If Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is a ‘‘victim of kidnap’’ as claimed, and properly rescued by soldiers, why was he not taken to the Army Base for documentation purposes and debriefing in line with the Standard Operating Procedure in the Nigerian Army? Why were the Police Operatives shot at close range even after they had identified themselves as Police Officers on legitimate duty as evident in the video now in circulation?”

     

  • Ban on prayers in Anambra markets sparks controversy

    Reactions have continued to trail the recent ban on prayers in all markets across Anambra State by the Anambra State Amalgamated traders Association (ASMATA).

    The announcement by the new chairman of the body, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu had triggered wide spread criticisms particularly among Christian denominations across the state.

    Those who spoke to The Nation on the development expressed divergent views over the order.

    While some described it as a step in the right direction, others said it was a handiwork of some occultic groups to unleash terror and mayhem on the traders, claiming the prayers were adversely affecting their businesses.

    Read Also: Anambra traders threaten legal action over ejection

    A cleric, Pastor Raymond Momah of the All Believers Assembly, Okpoko, however described the ban as a war between the children of God and the devil.

    “The battle is on and we will know who among us is serving the living God,” he asserted.

    An authordox clergymen who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was of the view that the measure was in the interest of everybody as the privilege was being grossly abused.

    “The intention is no longer to win souls for christ but for stomach infrastructure. I commend the government for that noble action,” he added.

    An industrialist, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka described the ban as a welcome development, stressing that the prayers were detrimental to the state economy as it scared visiting traders from the markets.

    Ezeonwuka, who is one of the patrons of ASMATA, maintained that the prayers not only constituted noise pollution, but a nuisance in the system.

    He said, “Market prayers are not only time consuming which irritate and frustrate visiting traders but also constitute noise pollution and other elements of nuisance in the system.

    “It also scares visiting traders from the neighbourhood and across the country from coming to the commercial city of Onitsha in particular to buy or sell goods to the detriment of the economy of Anambra State.

    “Market daily prayer is a fallacy. The best form of prayer is to work hard and to be honest. To work is to pray. You are as good as praying when you are working tirelessly.”

    According to the businessman, the time the traders devoted to prayers were better channeled to clearing and cleaning the market environment.

    “Cleanliness is next to godliness. These traders don’t know this, that is why they spend much time on prayers and end up scaring away those willing to patronise their businesses.

    “Market prayers on daily or weekly basis are harming the economy of the state because a lot of people who normally come to Onitsha to do businesses have diverted to other places.

    “If you budget two hours for a trip and end up spending five hours won’t you be irritated and frustrated? Won’t you find alternative?”

    On its part, the State government however said it did not instruct anybody or group of persons in whatever capacity to ban prayers in the markets as speculated in some quarters and published in some media.

    Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Wealth Creation, Dr. Christian Madubuko, said the state government did not ban prayers in the markets but directed that the prayers be regulated and organised with decorum.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Breach of agreements cause workplace conflicts, says Labour

    Organised labour has said inability to go by the rules and non-compliance with agreements are responsible for conflicts in workplaces.

    President, National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metalic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), Comrade Goke Olatunji, who spoke at a workshop organised by the Chemical and Non-Metallic Employers Federation (CANMPEF) in Lagos, noted that if employees and employers were well guided, they would not have conflicts.

    In his presentation addressing steps in conflict resolution as it relates to the union, Olatunji advised that workers and employers should ensure that no contentious issue attracts external resolution mechanism because of its negative effects on employer-employee relation after settlement.

    He said: “In handling conflict of whatever form, the causal factor should be addressed instead of wound-dressing. I equally submit that we should always consider what might be the reaction of others to an action of one. Conflict in industrial set-up should also be positive in nature such that it forecloses severance of industrial relationship.”

    According to him, conflict is as old as human existence and, therefore, it is an unavoidable phenomenon whenever there is a relationship or contact between two or more people.

    Read Also: NLC to Fed Govt: attack on protesters anti-democracy

    He noted that in spite of the desire among parties to co-exist peacefully, there are nevertheless hidden infractions, stating that the objectives of unions (workers or employees), government and employers are sometimes compatible and, at other times, incompatible with one another.

    He said: “For instance, the interest of both the employers and employees are not mutual. Wages can never be as high as workers desire or profits as investors/the employers might wish. Also the dynamics of organisation in response to technology and or some economic or societal policies might also cause conflict.

    “However, we should also not be so engulfed by conflict that we will now shun or look down at resolution mechanism because conflict must surely arise as we engage in economic activities for enhancing  means of our livelihood and for the betterment of our dear economy- Nigeria.”

    Olatunji highlighted issues, which may lead to industrial conflict, to include retrenchment of workers, following the closing down of a factory, lay-off, discharge or dismissal, denial of benefits, lock-out and non-recognition of unions, among others.

    He said resolving conflicts was sine qua non to organisational survival and as such should be accorded priority.

    Olatunji said: “The strategy, principle, process and practice must carefully be examined with a view to ensuring healthy conflict resolution without bias or prejudices.

    “In handling conflict, the validity of the issue must be determined, find out whether any collective agreement has been breached; has any labour law or policy been violated or has the worker’s health, safety and welfare been jeopardized? After determining the validity, get all facts and cross-check, then reduce the complaints into writing for onward settlement process.”

  • Experts blame NHIS failure on poor implementation

    Poor implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is responsible for the failure to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

    This verdict came from medical experts who gathered at the Muson Centre in Lagos to mark St. Nicholas Hospital’s 50th anniversary and proffer ways the country can achieve UHC. It is only a functional NHIS that can guarantee UHC for all Nigerians, they said.

    The experts also blamed poor funding, lack of political will and inappropriate practices by the regulatory agency for the failure of the scheme. They also linked the country’s failure to achieve UHC to inadequate legal framework for a successful scheme and poor implementation of the Health Insurance Act, which made enrolment optional.

    Besides deliberating and proffering solutions to UHC, the event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the life and times of Dr. Moses Adekoya Majekodunmi, who founded St. Nicholas Hospital. He was Nigeria’s minister of Health in the First Republic. He died in 2012 at 95.

    Read Also: Ex-NHIS chief to court: I’ve no case to answer

    In his keynote address, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, clinical director, St. Nicholas Hospital, lamented that the failure of the NHIS was due to non-realisation of the objective of making quality healthcare available and accessible to all Nigerians at an affordable cost. He stressed that more than 70 per cent of Nigerians still pay out of their pockets for medical expenses, as only three per cent of the population are registered on the NHIS. This, he said, has continued to expose many families to catastrophic health expenditures and poverty.

    According to Bamgboye, who said St Nicholas Hospital had performed 300 kidney transplants, among other achievements, the NHIS and UHC were pioneered by the late minister in the 1960s when he presented a bill to the then House of Representatives. Unfortunately, this never came to fruition, he said.

    “We had a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) conceived by our founder decades ago, but it did come to fruition. If NHIS is functional as it should be, it will certainly help improve the quality of healthcare we give as a country. Our hope is that at the end of the day government will actually improve on the service that the NHIS provides and also help improve on the quality of care that we give our citizenry,” he stressed.

    The Lagos zonal coordinator of NHIS, Olufemi Akingbade, said many of the laws in Nigeria on healthcare financing were not workable. This, he noted, is hindering the achievement of UHC. He said lack of financial mechanism to protect the health of the citizens and optional health insurance scheme had limited the progress of the UHC.

    Mrs. bClare Omatseye, president of Health Federation of Nigeria, stressed Nigerians should prevail on the ruling class to ensure the new health insurance bill is signed and implemented. She said only five per cent of the  budget was allocated to health, noting that there should be a provision for ‘catastrophe health fund’ to provide finances for medical equipment, infrastructure and others.

  • Cross River communities embrace exclusive breastfeeding

    In the wake of the World Breast Feeding Week which lasted from August 1 to 7, with the theme ”Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding”, a visit to some communities in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State revealed that more mothers are now complying with exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of their babies’ lives.

    The visit, which was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), revealed that even more parents were getting more persuaded on the need to ensure their babies were fed with nothing else but breast milk in order to improve their health, as well as save cost.

    At Ikot Ekanem Community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Immaculata Effiom Edet, a 28-year-old mother said though her child was three years old and was not breastfeeding at the moment, her experience having complied with exclusive breastfeeding for the child had yielded positive results.

    “My child is three years old so I no longer breastfeeding him, but in the first six months of his life, I practised exclusive breastfeeding and the result is showing. Currently, the baby is strong and healthy. He does not get sick. I would have been giving him water and artificial milk but because I was advised by the hospital I stuck to exclusive breastfeeding, and I am happy I did. I have also been encouraging other mothers to stick to exclusive because I can attest that it is the best. Fortunately other mothers have seen me and are convinced and they are also doing the same. They are listening to me now. It has made me closer to my baby and I am happy about it.”

    Read Also: Nine importance of exclusive breastfeeding

    Glory Asuquo Effiong, who is 26 years old from Ikot Adiaha community, has a 14-day-old baby.

    According to her, she was advised by the clinic in her community to stick to exclusive breastfeeding, which she did and could see the positive difference from her first child, who did not get exclusive breastfeeding.

    “My baby is just 14 days old. I was advised by the nurse in the hospital that it would make my baby very strong and healthy and that is what I am doing. So far, I am happy with the results that I have seen. I have to see that I have seen more improvement with this baby than the first baby. I encourage other mothers to stick to this because it is the best for them and their children,” she said.

    Abasiama Brown Edet, a 26-year-old mother from Ikot Community, who has a two-month-old baby that is her first said she was happy with the result she has observed so far, exclusively breastfeeding her baby.

    “My baby is two months and this is my first baby. I am adopting the exclusive breastfeeding method. I am happy with the result so far and I would continue until at least six months,” she said.

    Nkoyo Effiong Okon, a 32-year-old mother from Abakop Eneyo community who has a six-week-old baby pledged to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the baby, which is her fifth child.

    She admitted that she did not practice exclusive breastfeeding for her first four babies, saying she had noticed a remarkable difference with the fifth child so far.

    “My baby is one month and two weeks old. This is my fifth child and this is the only one I would be practicing exclusive breastfeeding on. I am doing this because this is what I have been advised in the clinic to do. I must say that so far I can see the difference between this baby and the other babies I have had. This baby at just one month and two weeks is looking so much bigger and healthier than the other ones I had before at the same age. Because of what I have seen so far, I must continue till at least six months,” she said.

    Elder Mrs. Bassey Oja, who works at the St Joseph’s Hospital in Ikot Ene Community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area said they had done a lot in sensitising parents to the need to exclusively breastfeed their babies for, at least, the first six months.

    She said almost every mother in the local government area was complying with exclusive breastfeeding and had good testimonies.

    “More mothers are breastfeeding their children. We sensitise them all the time. We do that in every clinic here in the area. We even go to their homes to meet them one-on-one to emphasise the need for exclusive breastfeeding for their babies.

    “We encourage them. We show them children who have were breastfed exclusively and how healthy they look. The children don’t get sick and there is also no stress of having to buy artificial milk, which cost money, and no stress of having to wash utensils in the house. You only need to eat well.

    “It also encourages bonding between the mother and the child. It makes you get closer to the baby so that you closely observe the baby’s development or if there is any issue that needs attention. It enables the baby keep staring at you and recognising you and makes you closer to your baby.

    “We also ask mothers who have breasted their babies to share their experiences and they see real testimonies and are convinced it is the right thing to do. As I speak to you I have grandchildren, who are six and five, and are highly intelligent because they were exclusively fed for six months with breast milk. You need to see letters they wrote you would think it was children that are much older that wrote them. So exclusive breast milk is the best for the child,” Oja said.

    Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, said they always sensitize mothers as well as visit facilities across the state to ensure mothers breastfed their babies exclusively.

    “We teach mothers to know that the best practice to feed a baby is through breastfeeding. Breast milk is the richest and best for every infant and we encourage them to feed for the first six months and if possible for the first one year. It contains antigens and a lot of other factors that helps the baby grow. The immune status is built up. The defense system is built up. Brain development is built up and the general child development is built up. “These go into better cognitive development in the later years to come. We encourage them to drink plenty of water and try and eat well and rest to sustain the breastfeeding,” he said.